Award-winning author Lorna Seilstad has called Iowa home her whole life. She received her B.S. in Education from Lubbock Christian University. After her first child was born, she quit teaching and became a professional wiper. “I wiped noses, tears, skinned knees, baby’s bottoms, and counter tops every day. But at nap time, I wrote.” Today, she writes historical fiction with a generous dash of humor. She is the author of the Lake Manawa Summers Series and the Gregory Sisters series, a wife, and a mother of three.
For more info, visit her website at www.lornaseilstad.com.
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Savanna: Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Lorna! Congratulations on your recent release, As Love Blooms. In writing the Gregory Sisters series, which of the three heroines reminded you the most of yourself? Who do you most relate to and why?
Lorna: I’m a middle child so I’d have to say Charlotte in While Love Stirs. I also love to cook and bake, so I could relate to her.
Savanna: You have a lot of great reviews on your website. Can you share with us one of your favorites? 🙂 It’s okay, don’t be shy!
Lorna: A lot of the reviews I get mention the historical details that make the reader feel like they are “there” and the humor. I always like the ones that mention the faith element. One of my favorite reviews for As Love Blooms was in Library Journal. It said, “As tenacious as Tessa is, she soon realizes that the only one who can truly move mountains for her is God. And God works at his own pace… Historical romance buffs are sure to savor this sweet inspirational tale.”
Savanna: Oh, that’s a great one! I read on your website that you grew up attending antique auctions. I grew up working at my grandparents’ antique auction barn and my dad was the auctioneer for many years. Do you remember the best treasure you ever purchased? 🙂
Lorna: My dad almost always did the bidding. He expected us to know values of things in our “area.” Mine was dolls. One time, we went to an auction that advertised a set of silk dolls from China. When it was time for us to leave, they still hadn’t brought them out. My dad went up to the auctioneer, who knew him well, and said, “I came to buy those dolls. If you want me to bid, you’d better sell them now.” They brought them out and he bought them for me.
Savanna: How cool. What a neat family heirloom!
I also read that you teach at church camp every year. What is your favorite thing about participating there?
Lorna: Oh, I love being at camp. I teach juniors (3rd-6th graders). My favorite part is making the experience memorable and watching the kids get turned on to learning about God. Last year, my class was C.S.I. (Christian Science Investigation). We learned to lift fingerprints and make castings, all the while discussing the mark we can make on people’s lives.
Savanna: What is one of your most unforgettable moments from your writing career to date?
Lorna: The day I met author Judith (Judy) Miller will be special to me forever. I’d just joined American Christian Fiction Writers and had been invited to a meeting on the other side of the state. She happened to be in the area doing research for her Amana series and dropped in to visit our informal group. We connected that day. I can’t explain it. It was a God thing. She’s been my mentor and one of my dearest friends. I thank God for her daily.
Savanna: Oh, I love to hear how God brings friends together. That’s wonderful, Lorna. Thanks for sharing with us today. It’s been great to have you here. Looking forward to your next stories!
GIVEAWAY!!
Lorna has graciously offered to give away one copy of As Love Blooms to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉
Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends June 30, 2015. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
I love antiques! It’s probably a good thing that I live in a place too small to collect much, but every summer when we road trip we stop by a new antique store to browse 🙂
How fun, Heidi! Wouldn’t it be cool to find an antique souvenir to mark each trip you took? 😉
One of my favorite heroines? Éowyn from Lord of the Rings 🙂
Ah, yes! 🙂 Glad you stopped by, Jamie!
Your covers are just so beautiful! I’d love to read your books..
Aren’t they pretty? 🙂 Thanks for joining us, Deanna.
Your books are beautiful and I thank you for sharing your talent. Scarlett from Gone With The Wind was certainly a force to be reckoned with but I loved Melanie….my namesake.
Scarlett was that for sure! 😉 It’s great to have you here, Melanie. Good luck in the giveaway!
I very much enjoyed your interview and I am looking forward to reading your latest book!!
Glad you enjoyed it, Cheri. Have a great weekend!
I enjoyed the interview. I liked when you mentioned about the books’ reviews and one of your favorite reviews talked about the faith element. I love when I’m reading a book and it touches me in some way spiritually. I feel this book gives more than a fantastic read. Thank you for the opportunity of this giveaway.
I agree, Barbara. Those are the kinds of books I remember the most. Thanks for sharing. Happy Reading!
Hi Savanna. Enjoyed this interview with Lorna. I love the covers on all of these books. Wish I had them all. Thanks for the giveaway.
Maxie
Me too, Maxie! 😉 Good luck in the giveaway!
Thanks for the enjoyable interview, Lorna and Savanna!! I love the quote from the review of “As Love Blooms”, am glad that Lorna appreciates reviewers mentioning the faith element in her books – the faith element in a Christian Fiction book is important to me.
I’ve been blessed by a special connection with a friend which, like Lorna’s with Judith – can only be explained as “a God thing”. It is the spiritual connection that drew us together – likewise, she is one of my dearest friends and I, too, thank God for her daily.
Hi Bonnie! Thanks for sharing with us. I loved to hear how God brought you and your friend together. What a blessing it is to have a kindred spirit like that. Sending you a hug! 🙂
I love Lorna’s story about her dad and the dolls. I collect dolls as well, so I understand the draw(o:. But I especially appreciate the memories of the love her dad had for her. You can’t say enough about a loving father!
Hi Kathryn. I’m glad you pointed that out. That was the sweetest part of the story to me too. Have a blessed day!
I love Lorna’s books so thank you for the chance to win her newest one.
wfnren at aol dot com
We’re glad you stopped by, Wendy! Good luck in the drawing.
I enjoy Chautona Havig’s novels & would like to meet a “real” Willow–a young lady who grew up living off the land (because her mother was in hiding)
I haven’t heard of those before, but now I’m intrigued. 😉 Thanks for visiting, Barb!
Love historical romance.
Me too, Kim! 😉
fun interview
Thanks for visiting!
I haven’t read any of this series, but like Lorna I am a middle child and love to bake, so I am sure I could relate to Charlotte!
I’m a middle child too, Patty. 😉 I didn’t care much for baking, though, until I got married. Having my own kitchen and hubby to tend to really changed my perspective, though. 🙂 I’m glad you could stop by.
Another book I would love to win for my wife.
That’s really sweet of you, Edward! Good luck! 🙂
I haven’t read these yet, but I love historical fiction! Nice getting to know you, Lorna!
Hope you get to read some of Lorna’s books soon, Danielle. Thanks for joining us this week. 🙂
Savanna, Thank you for the interesting interview ,so nice to learn of new (to me) authors.
Lorna, Your book covers are lovely. I have not read any of your books yet but look forward to doing so soon.
Thank you for giveaway
Hi Jackie! Thanks for stopping in. I’m happy to see new readers finding Lorna’s stories. 🙂 Good luck in the drawing!
The covers are great. Would love to win.
Good luck to you, Kim!
I relate to Rachel O’Malley from Dee Henderson The O’Mallery Series. She was a disaster relief worker with the Red Cross and she had an infinity to help children. My family always shake their heads when I tell them some of the things strangers have said to me. We both have a heart to serve and help people. People feel that they can trust us with their stories.
Oh, that’s a wonderful trait to have, Sonnetta. A genuine heart for others, what a gift. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t belivee I’ve read any of your books but they look good!
Hi Joan! Hope you get to read one of her books soon. 🙂 And I hope you’ve stayed afloat in all this rain here in MO lately. Talk about a crazy summer so far, huh?
Antiques! I love them. In fact, I just recently inherited some stunning cut glass and crystal serving pieces that belonged to one of my great aunts. Okay, they aren’t a hundred years old yet, but they will be in six years. 🙂
Thanks for the opportunity to win Lorna’s book. I always enjoy her stories.
Oh wow, that sounds really neat, Anne. I love learning about family heirlooms. Antiques tell such stories, don’t they? Thanks for joining us for the interview.
Hi, Savanna ~ Your blog posts are so creative and interesting. Thanks for sharing your interviewing and writing talents with the rest of us! :0} Best wishes, June
Hi June! Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad to hear you enjoy your visits here. It’s great to have you stop by!
Thank You for taking time to give this interview. Sounds like a great book.
Thank you, Karen, for visiting. Good luck in the drawing and have a great weekend!
The covers are always beautiful like the words that flow throughout your books. Thanks for the chance to win.
Deana
We’re glad you could join us for the interview and giveaway, Deana!
I would love to read your book. I am definitely sure I would enjoy!
I’m sure you would too, Linda! 😉
I loved the info about the antiques and auction houses.
Hi Cara! It’s great to have you here, my friend.
My favorite heroine of all time is Elizabeth Bennett. She’s the definition of a true friend and a girl who’s comfortable in her own skin whether she has a guy in her life or not.
Hi Abby! Yes, Elizabeth is a great heroine! 🙂 So glad you could join us.
I was blessed to win When Love Calls from Lorna in a Mothers Day giveaway when it came out. I would love to read the others. Loved it.
How fun, Lucy! Hope you get to add to your collection soon. 😉
I have this series on hold at the library can’t wait to read!
Wonderful, Donna! Happy Reading. 🙂
I love Lorna Sestad’s books!
That’s great, Ann. Thanks for joining us!
I have seen your books but haven’t got to read any, but anxious to put one in my Nicaragua pile (missionary)!
Hi Melody! That would be great, wouldn’t it? 🙂 When is your trip?
Great interview, Savanna, with such interesting questions. I liked the story Lorna told of the dolls at the antique auction! I have the other two books in this series and would love to be blessed to win the 3rd book. It sounds so intriguing! All the covers are beautiful!!!
Thanks, Alison. Here’s hoping you get to complete your series collection soon. 😉 Have a great weekend, by the way!
Hi! What a great interview! I have already read the first to books in the Gregory Sisters series and loved them both, so I am eagerly anticipating As Love Blooms. Thanks for the giveaway!
Hi Mackenzie! Glad to hear you enjoyed the others. I have no doubt you’ll love this one too, then. 🙂 Good luck in the drawing!
I loved the first two books in this series! Excited to read the third :0 thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for joining us, Sierra. 🙂 Hope you get to check out the third book soon!
I would love to read Tessa’s story in When Love Blooms. Lorna is a new author to me and I love historical fiction.
I hope you get to read it soon, Merry. Glad you stopped by!
My favorite heroine is Elizabeth Bennett from Pride & Prejudice. I love her wit, intelligence and spunk.
Gotta love Elizabeth, right? 😉 Thanks for visiting, Merry.
This book sounds like one I would surely enjoy. Thanks for the giveaway.
We appreciate you stopping by, Brenda. Good luck!
I completely loved Judith Miller’s Postcards from Pullman series! I learned so much from them, with historical fiction being my very favorite genre.
I agree, The Gregory Sisters are quite unique. Very fun reads. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Hi Kathleen! Thanks for joining us for the interview. I’ve not read Judith’s Pullman series. I’ll have to look that up now. 😉 Thanks for sharing!